Political science major, Dyani Acosta, is also an aspiring teacher enrolled in the DirecTrack to Teaching program. Dyani hopes to become a role model and support for BIPOC students, particularly Latinx students, who don’t see their identities reflected often in the teaching force.

What is your current degree program?

Currently, I am a major in political science with minors in Chicano & Latino Studies and Leadership. I am enrolled in DirecTrack to Teaching (DTT) for social studies.

What drove you to enroll in the DirecTrack to Teaching program?

It’s a funny story. I came into the university wanting to do something in education, but I told myself I would never ever be a teacher. With that being said, halfway through my first semester I signed up to be a mentor in a middle school in South Minneapolis and fell in love with being in the classroom. 

What do you hope to accomplish as a teacher?

I hope to represent students, especially Latinx students. Growing up, I never had a BIPOC teacher, much less a Latinx teacher. I just think that if I had one Latinx teacher or BIPOC teacher, I would have been more confident in school and myself than I was at the time. With all this being said, I hope to encourage students to believe in themselves because I don’t think a lot of middle schoolers know how incredible they are in a multitude of ways. They are our future after all, and I hope to be a small, tiny fraction of their discovery to their own self-authorship. 

What has been your experience with the faculty?

The faculty has been nothing short of awesome! I haven’t had a ton of opportunities to work with many of them one to one, but I know that they are willing to support me when need be. 

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself (hopefully) working as a middle school teacher in the Minneapolis school district. I will probably be very fulfilled each day –especially since the work of teaching is a learning experience for both the students and the teacher. There will definitely be a lot of learning happening! 

What’s been your favorite course so far?

In the DTT program, my favorite class was CI:3902 because we read Bettina Love’s book Teaching Tolerance, which is a fabulous read for everyone. I really enjoyed the discussions that followed, but also the space made up of future teachers; It is honestly a very powerful experience. Outside of my program, my favorite class has been a mass political psychology course through the political science major. It is really interesting to learn theories as to why people behave the way they do politically including voting turnout, partisanship, and overall political behavior! Both are great classes!

What strengths do you think you will bring to the classroom?

In my classroom, I want to ensure my students believe in the potential I see in them. One of my top strengths is that I can see the potential in others and lead them to discover it within themselves to achieve their goals. With that being said, I hope to bring my strengths to the classroom so that students can find self-authorship and support each other in the process. 

Any other thoughts you want to share about your experience?

Overall, I never would have thought of becoming a teacher, but as I continue my course through higher education, I realize more and more the importance of education. It is a privilege to go to school and to have good teachers. However, I want everyone to have access to these opportunities, and that’s why I want to be a teacher. Through DTT, I am gaining knowledge to serve students and give them the education they deserve and should have access to.

Learn more about DirecTrack to Teaching in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.